People workout for all different reasons and there are many different types of workouts to address them. However no matter what your goals are, if you want to be smart, successful, and get results from your workouts, here are five things everyone should do:

Although there are different definitions for the word recapitulation, for our purposes here of clearing up emotional clutter, it is a core Toltec technique used to heal emotional stresses. On a deeper level, it is used to reclaim energy and return one to balance. I believe there are different levels or ways to practice recapitulation, just like there are different levels of consciousness (ex. deep sleep vs. restful awareness).

It’s an important question if you’re one of the millions of people who carve out time in a busy schedule to exercise. Everyday, people dedicate their time to taking group exercise classes, lifting weights in the gym, or some other form of physical activity. Usually the reason is to “tone” your body, “get in shape,” or for those who go beyond the aesthetic, to “feel better.” If you are going to invest time, money, and effort in your body, you may want to consider that the exercises you or possibly even your instructor choose for you, may in fact, be hurting you.

Many people associate protein supplementation with bodybuilders or professional athletes seeking rapid gains in muscle mass and strength. As we age, however, remaining active and independent also requires strong, healthy muscles, especially since aging increases susceptibility to loss of muscle mass and muscle atrophy.

Fortunately, health-conscious adults are discovering the benefits of a combination of nutrients that can help them get the most from an active lifestyle as they get older. In order to help offset the age-related loss in muscle, whey protein offers a rich source of essential amino acids that are rapidly absorbed and utilized, helping to maintain healthy muscle. (full pdf article)

Reprinted with permission from Life Extension

Pregnancy, Exercise and Prenatals - What You Should Know

Pregnancy is a nine-month marathon, and smart moms-to-be begin training well in advance. You know that you should take care of yourself during pregnancy but should you exercise? What kind of exercise should you be doing, how often and for what length of time? What about prenatal vitamins? Pregnancy is a wondrous time, but it can also leave you with many questions.